Measles Spread Continues in Hamilton

Measles continues to circulate in
Hamilton and the surrounding areas and while still largely
associated with Fraser High School, there have been a single
confirmed case at Nga Taiatea Wharekura, Raglan Area School,
Hamilton Girls’ High School and Hamilton Junior High
School.

Waikato District Health Board’s Population
Health service has to date (24 June 2014) confirmed 77
measles cases in Hamilton in recent weeks – with a
significant number associated to Fraser High School.
Seventeen of these cases are household contacts of confirmed
cases and had already been placed in quarantine before they
were unwell.

Five cases have been hospitalised but are now
well.

Of the 77 cases, only four have been immunised with
two documented doses of the measles, mumps and Rubella (MMR)
vaccine and three cases have received one documented dose of
MMR.

Thirty three cases with clinical illness like measles
have been investigated and were found not to have
measles.

The public health unit is investigating about
another 14 suspected cases from throughout the
city.

“It’s important that with the spread outside of
the Fraser High School community, that people make
themselves aware of the signs and symptoms of measles and to
check their child’s immunity status,” said Waikato DHB
medical officer of health Dr Anita Bell.

“Information
has been circulated regarding the increase in cases to all
schools, early child care centres and general
practice.”

People who are regarded as not immune to
measles are:

• People younger than 45
years old (born after 01 January 1969) who have not had two
doses of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine or have not
had a laboratory confirmed positive measles result•
Children over four years old who have not received their
second dose of MMR• Infants under the
age of 15 months who have not received their first routine
dose of MMR vaccine. They are susceptible and rely on
everyone else to be immune so that measles does not spread
to them

“Measles can be a very serious illness, with one
in three sufferers experiencing complications such as ear
infections, pneumonia, bronchitis or diarrhoea,” said Dr
Bell.

“While one in 10 on average requires
hospitalisation, admission rates in this outbreak have been
higher.”

She reiterated that immunisation is the best
protection from this potentially serious
disease.

“Immunisation protects not only the individual,
but also blocks the spread of this disease within our
communities.”

Unimmunised people who have had contact
with a person with measles, will normally be advised to stay
at home and away from all public places, school or work for
14 days after their contact.

“Anyone born before 1969 or
who has received two doses of MMR can reasonably assume they
are already immune.”

If families suspect someone has
measles they should call their doctor, where possible,
before visiting to avoid spreading the disease while
waiting.

Measles is spread by tiny droplets in the air
and is one of the few diseases that can spread so easily to
those nearby.

What is
measles?• Measles is a highly
infectious viral disease that can be serious.•
It is spread from person to person through the air by
breathing, sneezing or coughing. Just being in the same room
as someone with measles can lead to infection if you are not
immune.

Who is at risk of measles
infection?People are at risk of getting measles
if they are not immune to measles. People who are regarded
as not immune to measles are:• People
younger than 45 years old (born after 01 January 1969) who
have not had two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR)
vaccine• Infants under the age of 15
months who have not received their first routine dose of MMR
vaccine. They are susceptible and rely on everyone else to
be immune so that measles does not spread to them.•
Children over four years old who have not received their
second dose of MMR.

What should you
do?• Ensure you are up to date
with your immunisations.• If you are not
immune it is important to be aware of the symptoms of
measles. The early symptoms of measles are fever, runny
nose, sore red eyes and cough.• After
3-5 days a red, blotchy rash appears on the face and head
and then spreads down the body.

If you develop
symptoms of measles:• Stay at
home and away from public places (such as sports events,
gatherings, parties, school, work, child care, shopping
centres, public transport and so on).•
See your doctor as soon as possible so a diagnosis can be
confirmed. However, phone the surgery ahead to alert them
of your symptoms and to allow them to make arrangements to
assess you safely and without infecting other people.•
If you are unable to visit your GP phone Healthline on 0800
611
116.

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